7-Part Netflix Series Starring A Hollywood Icon Broke All The Rules

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When Netflix first started creating its own shows, it aimed to disrupt traditional television. The platform took chances on programs that were too daring for network TV or likely to be ignored by mainstream audiences—including one successful series that relied on well-known actors. By investing in Grace and Frankie, a show starring established actors and challenging typical TV conventions, Netflix quickly proved its potential. What began as a risky idea ultimately became a 7-season success.

Premiering in 2015, Grace and Frankie quickly became one of the streaming platform’s biggest hits, starring longtime friends and collaborators Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The show followed two women in their 70s dealing with divorce, offering a rare and honest look at life for older women. Unlike many TV series, Grace and Frankie boldly explored themes of aging, starting over, and maintaining independence, telling authentic stories even when they were difficult.

Instead of portraying the later years of life as simply sad or ridiculous, Grace and Frankie approached the subject with genuine honesty, which is why it became a memorable show for both Netflix and television as a whole.

Grace & Frankie Started A Trend Of Stories Focusing On Older Main Characters

Grace and Frankie aimed to break the mold of typical TV storytelling, showcasing the creative possibilities of streaming on Netflix. The show centers on Grace Hanson and Frankie Bergstein, who are unexpectedly brought together when their husbands reveal they’re in love with each other. Despite a lifetime of disliking each other, Grace and Frankie forge an unlikely friendship as they navigate this new reality and rediscover themselves later in life.

Instead of dwelling on the past, lost loves, or settling into old routines, Grace and Frankie shows its main characters boldly embracing new chapters in their lives. Throughout the series, Grace and Frankie focus on personal growth, pursuing their interests, and strengthening family bonds, proving that life doesn’t end with age. The show was also boosted by stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, who brought both experience and authenticity to their roles, powerfully demonstrating the show’s message about aging with grace and vitality.

Grace & Frankie Is Worth Sticking With After A Lukewarm Season 1

Many consider the first season of Grace and Frankie to be its weakest, but Netflix decided to keep funding the show despite the initial mixed reactions. Critics weren’t very impressed with the beginning of the series, and it relied more on viewer support than positive reviews to get started. Although the first season only received a 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show eventually gained critical acclaim as it went on, and critics’ opinions aligned with what audiences had been seeing all along.

Though it took a little while to find its footing, Grace and Frankie quickly became popular with viewers. The show’s talented cast, relatable themes, and heartfelt moments made it a standout series for Netflix over its seven seasons. Despite a few challenges along the way, Grace and Frankie is a truly unique show that still deserves recognition, even now that it’s over.

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2026-05-03 04:48